Camera device with verged cameras

ABSTRACT

A camera device having verged cameras is disclosed. A camera device may include a housing and four cameras disposed in the housing. The housing may define a horizontal plane passing through the center of the housing. Each of the four cameras may be verged at an angle defined by a longitudinal center axis of the camera and the horizontal plane. Each camera may include a vertical field of view verged at the same angle. The camera device may produce a panoramic image (e.g., a panoramic still image or panoramic video) using two or more of the cameras. Systems and processes including the camera device are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Photography is creative art form that leverages artistic concepts withthe technical capabilities of camera equipment to create electronic orprint images. Many electronic devices include cameras that enable userto capture still images and video of their environment. The position andorientation of such devices may enable photographers to capture imagesin unique and interesting ways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration onlyand merely depict example embodiments of the disclosure. The drawingsare provided to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and shall notbe deemed to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of thedisclosure. In the drawings, the left-most digit(s) of a referencenumeral identifies the drawing in which the reference numeral firstappears. The use of the same reference numerals indicates similar, butnot necessarily the same or identical components. However, differentreference numerals may be used to identify similar components as well.Various embodiments may utilize elements or components other than thoseillustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may notbe present in various embodiments. The use of singular terminology todescribe a component or element may, depending on the context, encompassa plural number of such components or elements and vice versa.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic side views of a camera device with vergedcameras in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the camera device of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a first orientation of the camera deviceof FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second orientation of the camera deviceof FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the camera device of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic side views of a camera device withmoveable verged cameras in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the camera device of FIG. 6 in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting operation of multiple cameras800 to provide a panoramic image of a real-world scene in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a process for capturing images with acamera device having verged cameras in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a process for capturing images with acamera device having movable verged cameras in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a camera device and a user device inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to, among other things, a camera device havingtwo or more verged cameras. In an example embodiment of the disclosure,a camera device may include a housing and four cameras disposed in thehousing. The housing may define a horizontal plane passing through thecenter of the housing. Each of the four cameras may be verged at anangle defined by a longitudinal center axis of each camera and thehorizontal plane. In some embodiments, each camera is verged at the sameangle. In other embodiments, each camera may be verged at a differentangle. Each camera may include a vertical field of view verged at thesame angle. The camera device may produce a panoramic image (e.g., apanoramic still image or panoramic video) using two or more of thecameras.

In some embodiments, the camera housing may include connectors disposedat one end and receptacles or other mounting components disposed at theopposite end. In some embodiments, the connectors may receive a batterycharger and the receptacles or other mounting components may receive amounting apparatus (e.g., a self-stick). The connectors and receptaclesmay enforce orientations on the camera device and cameras. For example,in a first orientation, the camera device may be connected to a batterycharger such that a first end is resting on the battery charger or asurface and is the “bottom” of the device. In a second orientation, thecamera device may be rotated 180 degrees around the horizontal plane andthe camera device may engage a mounting apparatus via the mountingcomponents, such that a second end of the device may be the “bottom” ofthe device. In some embodiments, the housing may be generallytoroid-shaped and may have a hollow central cylinder including theconnectors and mounting components described above.

In another example embodiment of the disclosure, a camera device mayinclude a housing and four cameras disposed in the housing and moveablyverged between different angles. The housing may define a horizontalplane passing through the center of the housing. Each of the fourcameras may be moveably verged to multiple angles defined by alongitudinal center axis of each camera and the horizontal plane. Thecamera device may include a movement mechanism such as one or moremotors or one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The camerasof the camera device may be independently moved to different angles orcollectively moved to the same angle. In some embodiments, the housingmay be generally toroid-shaped and may have a hollow central cylinderincluding the connectors and mounting components described above.

In some embodiments, image-recognition, such as face-recognition, may beperformed on images (e.g., still images or video) captured by the cameradevice to identify a region (e.g., a face) in the image. In someembodiments, one or more frames captured by cameras of the camera devicemay be compared to previously captured frames to determine whether theregion is moving toward or away from the device. If the region is movingtoward or away from the device, one or more of the cameras may bemoveably verged to a different angle to maintain the region in thevertical field of view (or in a designated area of the vertical field ofview) of one or more of the cameras.

The above-described embodiments and other embodiments of the disclosurewill be described in detail hereinafter through reference to theaccompanying drawings. In addition, it should be appreciated that theexample technical effects described above are merely illustrative andnot exhaustive.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of a side view of a camera device100 having multiple verged cameras 104 in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cameradevice 100 includes a housing 102 and cameras 104A, 104B, 104C, and104D. In some embodiments, the camera device 100 may include two, three,five, six, or more cameras.

FIG. 1A depicts a first side view of the camera device 100 illustratingthe cameras 104A, 104B, and 104C. In some embodiments, the cameras 104Aand 104B may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing 102. In someembodiments, the camera 104D may be disposed opposite the third camera104C. In other embodiments, the cameras 104 may be distributed aroundthe housing 102 in other suitable arrangements (i.e., each camera 104may not necessarily be directly opposite another camera).

The cameras 104 may be used to capture images via the camera device 100.The cameras 104 may vary in resolution, field of view, and/or shutterspeed. The cameras 104 may include, but are not limited to, chargecoupled device (CCD) cameras, complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) image sensor cameras, infrared cameras, or optical lens cameras.In some embodiments, the cameras 104 may be “high-definition” (HD)cameras and may capture images (e.g., still images or video) at anysuitable resolutions, up to and including 4K resolution or higher. Insome embodiments, the cameras 104 may capture video at various framerates, including 24 frames-per-second (fps), 25 fps, 30 fps, 50 fps, and60 fps.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B the housing 102 may, in some embodiments, begenerally frustoconical shaped. The housing 102 may define a horizontalplane 106 passing through a center 108 of the housing 102. In otherembodiments, the housing 102 may be other shapes, such as cuboid shaped,cube shaped, cylindrical, hexagonal, or other shapes including irregularshapes. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and as describedbelow, the housing 102 may be a frustoconical-shaped toroid that maydefine a hollow cylinder in the center. In some embodiments, the housing102 may provide water-resistance, water-proofing, shock-proofing, orother similar capabilities for the camera device 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, each camera 104 may be verged (i.e.,inclined) at a nonzero angle with respect to the horizontal plane 106.The camera 104A may define a longitudinal center axis 110 extendingthrough the center of the camera 104A, and the camera 104B may define alongitudinal center axis 112 extending through the center of the camera104A. The camera 104A may be verged at an angle 114 defined by thecenter axis 110 and the horizontal plane 106. Similarly, the camera 104Bmay be verged at an angle 116 defined by the center axis 112 and thehorizontal plane 106. In some embodiments, the angles 114 and 116 may beequal. In the orientation depicted in FIG. 1A, the angles 114 and 116may appear as greater than zero with respect to the horizontal plane106. In other embodiments or orientations, the angles 114 and 116 mayappear as less than zero with respect to the horizontal plane 106.

As mentioned above, each of the cameras 104 may have a field of view(FOV) (also referred to as “angle of view”) dependent on the lens andimage sensor of each camera 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, thecamera 104A may have an FOV 118. In the orientation of the device 100depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the verging of the camera 104A at the angle114 also verges the FOV 118, such that the FOV 118 is not symmetricalwith respect to the horizontal plane 106. Similarly, as also depicted inFIG. 1A, the camera 104B has an FOV 120, and the verging of the camera104B also verges the FOV 120, such that the FOV 120 is not symmetricalwith respect to the horizontal plane 106. Thus, the cameras 104A and104B capture an increased view above the horizontal plane 106 as opposedto a camera without verging (i.e., a camera having no angle between itslongitudinal

center axis and the horizontal plane 106).

FIG. 1B depicts another side view of the camera device 100 illustratingthe cameras 104C, 104B, and 104D. In some embodiments, the cameras 104Cand 104D may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing 102. In otherembodiments, the cameras 104 may be distributed around the housing 102in other suitable arrangements (i.e., each camera 104 may notnecessarily be directly opposite another camera).

As shown in FIG. 1B, the cameras 104C and 104D may also be verged (i.e.,inclined) at a nonzero angle with respect to the horizontal plane 106.The camera 104C may define a longitudinal center axis 122 extendingthrough the center of the camera 104C, and the camera 104D may define alongitudinal center axis 124 extending through the center of the camera104D. The camera 104C may be verged at an angle 126 defined by thecenter axis 122 and the horizontal plane 106. Similarly, the camera 104Dmay be verged at an angle 128 defined by the center axis 124 and thehorizontal plane 106. In some embodiments, the angles 114, 116, 126 and128 may be equal. In the orientation depicted in FIG. 1B, the angles 126and 128 may appear as greater than zero with respect to the horizontalplane 106. In other embodiments or orientations, the angles 126 and 128may appear as less than zero with respect to the horizontal plane 106.In some embodiments, the angles 114, 116, 126, and 128 may be at least10° (or −10°), at least 20° (or −20°), at least 30° (or −30°), or atleast 40° (or −40°).

In some embodiments, the angles 114, 116, 126, and 128 may be selectedto ensure a specific region (e.g., a region that includes an object ofinterest) in an image is within the vertical FOV of the cameras whencamera device 100 is in a specific location, mounted on a mountingapparatus, resting on a structure (e.g., a table), or otherarrangements.

The FOVs of the cameras 104C and 104D are also depicted in FIG. 1B. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1B, the camera 104C may have an FOV 130. Inthe orientation of the device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, theverging of the camera 104A at the angle 126 also verges the FOV 130.Similarly, as also depicted in FIG. 1B, the camera 104D has an FOV 132,and the verging of the camera 104B also verges the FOV 132. Thus,similar to the cameras 104A and 104B, the verged cameras 104C and 104Dmay capture an increased view above the horizontal plane 106 as opposedto cameras without verging (i.e., cameras having no angle between theircenter axes and the horizontal plane 106).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the camera device 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2,each camera 104 may be disposed around the housing 102. In someembodiments, the housing 102 may be toroid shaped and may have anannular portion 200 defining a hollow cylinder 202. In some embodiments,the cameras 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D may be disposed equidistant fromeach other around the circumference of the annular portion 200. Asdescribed further below, the hollow cylinder 202 may accommodate, incombination with components disposed within, connection of a batterycharger (such as a battery charger provided by a dock) at one end of thehollow cylinder 202 and a mounting apparatus at an opposite end of thehollow cylinder 202.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first orientation 300 ofthe camera device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera device 100 may be positionedin the center of a table 302, such that the camera is resting on thetable 302. In some embodiments, the camera device 100 may be positionedon a dock 303 (e.g., a charging dock) resting on the table 302.

In the position shown in FIG. 3, the cameras 104 are positioned tocapture images around the table 300. As described above, the cameras 104are verged with respect to the housing 102 such that the FOV of eachcamera 104 is also verged; thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the FOV of eachcamera 104 is verged “upward” with respect to the table 300 in thedirection illustrated by arrow 304. As a result, less of the verticalFOV of each of the cameras 104 is obscured by the table 302 and more ofthe real-world scene above the table 302 may be captured by the cameras104. In the first orientation 300 depicted in FIG. 3, for example, theshaded region 305 of the housing 303 may appear as the “bottom” of thecamera device 100.

In some embodiments, the verged cameras 104 and respective FOVs mayprovide for a capture of relevant regions, and features of regions(e.g., regions that include an object of interest), when the cameradevice 100 is positioned on a structure (e.g., table 302) and in thefirst orientation 300. For example, as shown FIG. 3, a person 306 havingfacial features 308 may be partially or fully within the FOV 118 of thecamera 104A. As the person 306 moves around the table 302, the othercameras 104 of the device 100 also verged at the same angle as thecamera 104A, may continue to capture the facial features 308 of theperson 306. In some embodiments, image-recognition may be performed onan image captured by the cameras 104 to recognize a region (e.g., anobject of interest in the region) in the image. In some embodiments, forexample, facial recognition may be performed on the facial features 308of the person 306. Thus, in the first orientation 300 of the device 100,the verged cameras 104 may enable sufficient capture of the facialfeatures 308 as the person 306 moves around the table 300. In contrast,cameras having a zero angle between the longitudinal center axis and thehorizontal plane of the device 100 may cutoff or clip the facialfeatures 308 of the person 306. In other embodiments, other regionsdisposed or moving around the table 302 may be sufficiently within theverged FOVs of the cameras 104 to enable sufficient capture of theregion for image-recognition or other processing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second orientation 400 ofthe camera device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second orientation 400, thecamera device 100 may be coupled to a mounting apparatus 402. In someembodiments, the second orientation 400 may be achieved by turning thecamera device 100 around the horizontal plane 106. In some embodiments,the mounting apparatus 402 may be attached to or carried by a person 404(e.g., the owner or operator of the camera device 100). For example, themounting apparatus 402 may be coupled to a backpack 403 worn by theperson 404. In some embodiments, for example, the mounting apparatus 402may be a monopod such as a “selfie stick”, a tripod, or other apparatus.In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus 402 may include otherapparatus configured to be coupled to stationary objects, such asfurniture, buildings, or other objects.

As described above, the cameras 104 of the camera device 100 are vergedwith respect to the housing 102 such that the FOV of each camera 104 isalso verged; thus, in the orientation depicted in FIG. 4, the FOV ofeach camera 104 is verged “downward” in the direction illustrated byarrow 406. Consequently, more of the FOV of each of the cameras 104 isdirected to capture more of the real-world scene below the camera device100. In the second orientation 400 depicted in FIG. 4, for example, theshaded region 305 of the housing 303 may appear as the “top” of thecamera device 100.

In some embodiments, the verged cameras 104 and respective FOVs mayprovide for a capture of relevant regions and features when the cameradevice 100 is positioned on the mounting apparatus 402 and in the secondorientation 400. For example, as shown FIG. 4, a second person 408having facial features 408 may be partially or fully within the FOV 118of the camera 104A. As the second person 408 moves around the cameradevice 100 (e.g., as result of movement by the first person 404, thesecond person 408, or both), the other cameras 104 of the device 100that are verged (e.g., at the same angle as camera 104A) may continue tocapture relevant regions and features, e.g., the facial features 410 ofthe person 408, as opposed to a camera without verging. As noted above,in some embodiments, image-recognition may be performed on an imagecaptured by the cameras 104, such as, for example, facial recognitionperformed on the facial features 410 of the person 408. Thus, in thesecond orientation 400 of the device 100, the verged cameras 104 mayenable sufficient capture of the facial features 410 as the cameradevice 100 and the second person 410 move relative to one another. Inother embodiments, other regions disposed or moving around the cameradevice 100 may be sufficiently within the verged FOVs of the cameras 104to enable sufficient capture of the region for image-recognition orother processing.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of the camera device 100 in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, in someembodiments the camera device 100 may include a memory 500, a processor504, a battery 508, and an interface 510. In some embodiments, thecamera device 100 may include one or more connectors 512 and one or morereceptacles 514. FIG. 5 also depicts the cameras 104A and 104B.

The processor 504 may include one or more processors that may eachinclude one or more cores. The processor 504 may be configured to accessand execute (at least in part) computer-readable instructions stored inthe memory 502. The processor 504 may include, without limitation: acentral processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), areduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction setcomputer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. The cameradevice 100 may also include a chipset (not shown) for controllingcommunications between the processor 504 and one or more of the othercomponents of the camera device 100. The processor 504 may also includeone or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) orapplication-specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specificdata processing functions or tasks.

The interface 510 may include one or more interfaces and may include oneor more communication interfaces or network interface devices to providefor the transfer of data between the camera device 100 and anotherdevice directly such as in a peer-to-peer fashion, via an electricalnetwork (not shown), or both. The communication interfaces may provideaccess to, for example, personal area networks (“PANs”), wired localarea networks (“LANs”), wireless local area networks (“WLANs”), wirelesswide area networks (“WWANs”), and so forth. The communication interfacesmay use any suitable communications standard, protocol and technology,including Ethernet, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), a 3G network (e.g., based upon theIMT-2000 standard), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), widebandcode division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access(CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), a 4G network (e.g., IMTAdvanced, Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced), etc.), Bluetooth,Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE802.11g or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, aprotocol for email (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) orpost office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensiblemessaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol forInstant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), InstantMessaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS), Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communicationprotocols.

The memory 502 (which may include one or more tangible non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium) may include volatile memory, such asrandom access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flashmemory, a hard drive, any other suitable optical, magnetic, orsolid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The memory 502 maybe accessible by the processor 504 and other components of the cameradevice 100. The memory 502 may store a variety of information and may beused for a variety of purposes and may store executable computer code.The executable computer code may include program instructions executableby a processor (e.g., the processor 502) to implement one or moreembodiments of described herein. The memory 502 may store an operatingsystem that includes a plurality of computer-executable instructionsthat may be implemented by the processor 502 to perform a variety oftasks to operate the cameras 104 and other components of the cameradevice 100. The memory 502 may provide for storage of, for example,camera buffers, images, and video.

In some embodiments, the camera device 100 may include other components,such as a display (e.g., an liquid crystal display (LCD) screen or anorganic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, a card slot configured toreceive memory cards such as microSD cards, speakers, microphones, andthe so on. In some embodiments, for example, the camera device 1000 mayinclude microphones to capture audio in addition to images. Audiocaptured by the microphones may be stored as audio data and associatedwith image data.

The connectors 512 may provide for the connection of additional devicesto the camera device 100. In some embodiments, the connectors 512 mayinclude any number of input and output ports, including headphone andheadset jacks, universal serial bus (USB) ports, Firewire (IEEE-1394)ports, Thunderbolt ports, and AC and DC power connectors. Further, thecamera device 100 may use the input and output ports to connect to andsend or receive data with any other device, such as other portablecomputers, personal computers, printers, etc.

The connectors 512 may be configured to connect to a battery charger,such as a battery charger to charge the battery 508. The battery 508 mayinclude any suitable battery types such as nickel-cadmium, lithium-ionor other suitable battery types and provide power sufficient foroperation of the camera device and associated various components. Insome embodiments, the connectors 512 may be or include pins, sockets,plugs, blades, or other suitable types of connectors. In someembodiments, a portion of or all of the connector 512 may extend in thehollow cylinder 202 of the housing 102 of the device 100. In someembodiments, the connectors 512 may disposed near a first end 516 of thecylinder 202 (e.g., the connectors are closer the first end 516 thanthey are to the opposite end of the cylinder 202). For example, asdescribed above and as indicated by arrow 517, the camera device 100 maybe coupled to a dock such as by inserted a portion of the dock into thecylinder 212 to connect to the connectors 512.

The receptacles 514 may be configured to receive a mounting apparatus(e.g., the mounting apparatus 402) extended into the hollow cylinder202. In some embodiments, the receptacles 514 may extend into the hollowcylinder 202. In some embodiments, the receptacles 514 may engagecomponents (e.g., protrusions) in a mounting apparatus. In otherembodiments, the mounting components may be protrusions in a wall of thehollow cylinder 202, recesses in a wall of the hollow cylinder, threadsin a wall of the hollow cylinder 202, pins extending from the wall ofthe hollow cylinder 202, a track in the wall of the hollow cylinder 202,or other suitable mounting components.

In some embodiments, the connectors 512 and mounting components 514 maywork in combination to enforce orientations of the camera device 100.For example, in a first orientation, the camera device 100 may beconnected to a battery charger such that the first end 516 is resting onthe battery charger or a surface and may be described as the “bottom” ofthe device 100. For example, as described above and as indicated byarrow 517, the camera device 100 may be coupled to a dock such as byinserted a portion of the dock into the cylinder 212 to connect to theconnectors 512.

In a second orientation, the camera device 100 may be rotated 180degrees around the horizontal plane 106 and the mounting components 514may be engaged with a mounting apparatus, such that the second end ofthe device may be described as the “bottom of the device 100. Forexample, as described above and as indicated by arrow 519, the cameradevice 100 may be coupled to a mounting apparatus such as by inserting aportion of the portion apparatus into the cylinder 202 to engage to thereceptacles 514.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of a side view of a camera device600 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 6, the camera device 100 includes a housing 602, andcameras 604A, 604B, 604C, and 604 D arranged in a manner similar to theembodiment described above and depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The cameras604A and 604B may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing 602. Thehousing 600 may define a horizontal plane 606 passing through a center608 of the housing 602.

The cameras 604 may be used to capture images via the camera device 600.The cameras 604 may vary in resolution, field of view, and/or shutterspeed. The cameras 604 may include, but are not limited to, chargecoupled device (CCD) cameras, complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) image sensor cameras, infrared cameras, or optical lens cameras.In some embodiments, the cameras 104 may be “high-definition” (HD)cameras and may capture images (e.g., still images or video) at anysuitable resolutions, up to and including 4K resolution or higher. Insome embodiments, the cameras 604 may capture video at various framerates, including 24 frames-per-second (fps), 25 fps, 30 fps, 50 fps, and60 fps.

The cameras 604 may be moveable (e.g., rotatable) to a nonzero anglewith respect to the horizontal plane 606. Thus, each camera 604 may bemoveably verged (e.g., inclined) between a zero angle and a non-zeroangle with respect to the horizontal plane 106. The camera 604A maydefine a longitudinal center axis 612 extending through the center ofthe camera 604A and the camera 604B may define a longitudinal centeraxis 612 extending through the center of the camera 604B. FIG. 6Adepicts the first camera 604A moveably verged to a first angle 614defined by the center axis 610 and the horizontal plane 606. Similarly,the camera 604B may be moveably verged to an angle 616 defined by thecenter axis 612 and the horizontal plane 606. In some embodiments, theangles 614 and 616 may be equal. It should be appreciated that othercameras of the camera device 100, such as cameras 104C and 104D, mayalso be moveably verged to angles defined by their center axes and thehorizontal plane 606. In some embodiments, these angles may also equalthe angles 614 and 616. The cameras 604 may be moveably verged to angles(e.g., angles 614 and 616) that may appear as greater than zero withrespect to the horizontal plane 606. In other embodiments ororientations, the cameras 604 may be moveably verged to angles (e.g.,angles 614 and 616) that may appear as less than zero with respect tothe horizontal plane 606. In some embodiments, the angles 614 and 616and angles associated with the cameras 604C and 604D may each be atleast 10° (or −10°), at least 20° (or −20°), at least 30° (or −30°), orat least 40° (or −40°).

Each of the cameras 604 may have a field of view (FOV) dependent on thelens and image sensor of each camera 604. For example, as shown in FIG.6A, the camera 604A may have an FOV 618. In the orientation of thedevice 600 depicted in FIG. 6, the verged camera 604A at the angle 614may also verge the FOV 618. As also depicted in FIG. 6A, the camera 604Bhas an FOV 620, and the verging of the camera 604B also verges the FOV620. Thus, the cameras 604A and 604B capture an increased view above thehorizontal plane 606 as opposed to a camera without verging.

The cameras 604A and 604B may be moveably verged (e.g., inclined) withrespect to the horizontal plane 606. As noted above, the cameras 604 maybe moveably verged to a second non-zero angle. For example, the camera604A may be moveably verged in the direction indicated by arrow 620 toincrease the angle between the center axis 610 and the horizontal plane606. Similarly, the camera 604B may be moveably verged in the directionindicated by arrow 622 to increase the angle between the center axis 612and the horizontal plane 606. FIG. 6B depicts the side view of thecamera device 600 illustrating movement of the cameras 604A and 604B toa greater angle between the center axes of the cameras and thehorizontal plane 606 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the camera 604A may be moveably verged to a thirdangle 624 defined by the center axis 610 and the horizontal plane 606,such that the third angle 624 is greater than the first angle 614depicted in FIG. 6A. Similarly, the camera 604B may be moveably vergedto a fourth angle 626 defined by the center axis 612 and the horizontalplane 606, such that the fourth angle 626 is greater than the secondangle 616. In some embodiments, the third angle 624 and the fourth angle626 may be equal. In some embodiments, each of the cameras 604A, 604B,604C, and 604D may be independently moved such that each verge angle ofeach camera is different. In other embodiments, each of the cameras604A, 604B, 604C, and 604D may move together such that each verge angleis equal to each other.

In some embodiments, the cameras 604 may be moveable verged to maintaina region within the vertical FOV of the cameras or within a designatedarea of the vertical FOV. In some embodiments, the control of themoveable verging may be selected to facilitate face detection andtracking. For example, if the camera device 600 is resting on a table(such as depicted in FIG. 4), as a person approaches the camera device600 the cameras 604 may be moveably verged to increase the angles andmaintain the person's face in a designated area (e.g., the center) of orwithin the vertical FOV of the cameras 604. If the person subsequentlymoves away from the camera device 600, the cameras 604 may be moveablyverged to increase the angles and maintain the person's face in adesignated area (e.g., the center) of or within the vertical FOV of thecameras 604.

In some embodiments, the housing 602 of the camera device 600 may havethe same shape and features as the housing 102 described above andillustrated in FIGS. 1-3. For example, the housing 602 may, in someembodiments, be generally frustoconical shaped. In other embodiments,the housing 602 may be other shapes, such as cuboid shaped, cube shaped,cylindrical, hexagonal, or other shapes including irregular shapes. Insome embodiments, the housing 602 may be a frustoconical-shaped toroidthat may define a hollow cylinder in the center. In some embodiments,the housing 602 may provide water-resistance, water-proofing,shock-proofing, or other similar capabilities for the camera device 600.

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of the camera device 600 in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, in someembodiments the camera device 600 may include a memory 702, a processor704, storage 706, and a battery 708 and, as shown in FIG. 7, the cameras604A and 604B. In some embodiments, as noted above, the housing of thecamera device 600 may be a toroid defining a hollow cylinder 710 in thecenter.

Similar to the embodiment discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5, theprocessor 704 may include one or more processors that may each includeone or more cores. The processor 704 may be configured to access andexecute (at least in part) computer-readable instructions stored in thememory 702. The processor 704 may include, without limitation: a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reducedinstruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer(CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gatearray (FPGA), or any combination thereof. The camera device 600 may alsoinclude a chipset (not shown) for controlling communications between theprocessor 704 and one or more of the other components of the cameradevice 600. The processor 704 may also include one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application-specificstandard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processingfunctions or tasks.

The interface 711 my function similarly to the interface 510 describedabove. For example, the interface 711 may include one or more interfacesand may include one or more communication interfaces or networkinterface devices to provide for the transfer of data between the cameradevice 600 and another device directly such as in a peer-to-peerfashion, via an electrical network (not shown), or both. Thecommunication interfaces may provide access to, for example, personalarea networks (“PANs”), wired local area networks (“LANs”), wirelesslocal area networks (“WLANs”), wireless wide area networks (“WWANs”),and so forth. The communication interfaces may use any suitablecommunications standard, protocol and technology, including Ethernet,Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), a 3G network (e.g., based upon the IMT-2000standard), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband codedivision multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), a 4G network (e.g., IMT Advanced,Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced), etc.), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g or IEEE802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol foremail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) or post officeprotocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging andpresence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), ShortMessage Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocols.

The memory 702 (which may include one or more tangible non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium) may include volatile memory, such asrandom access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flashmemory, a hard drive, any other suitable optical, magnetic, orsolid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The memory 702 maybe accessible by the processor 704 and other components of the cameradevice 600. The memory 702 may store a variety of information and may beused for a variety of purposes and may store executable computer code.The executable computer code may include program instructions executableby a processor (e.g., the processor 702) to implement one or moreembodiments of described herein. The memory 702 may store an operatingsystem that includes a plurality of computer-executable instructionsthat may be implemented by the processor 702 to perform a variety oftasks to operate the cameras 604 and other components of the cameradevice 600. The memory 702 may provide for storage of, for example,camera buffers, images, and video.

In some embodiments, the camera device 600 may include one or moreconnectors 712 and one or more mounting components 714. The connectors712 may be similar to the connectors 512 described above and may providefor the connection of additional devices to the camera device 600. Insome embodiments, the connectors 712 may include any number of input andoutput ports, including headphone and headset jacks, universal serialbus (USB) ports, Firewire (IEEE-1394) ports, Thunderbolt ports, and ACand DC power connectors. Further, the camera device 600 may use theinput and output ports to connect to and send or receive data with anyother device, such as other portable computers, personal computers,printers, etc.

The connectors 712 may be configured to connect to a battery charger,such as a battery charger to charge the battery 708. In someembodiments, a portion of or all of the connector 712 may extend in ahollow cylinder 710 of the housing 602 of the device 600. In someembodiments, the connectors 712 may disposed near a first end 724 of thecylinder 710 (e.g., the connectors are closer the first end 724 thanthey are to the opposite end of the cylinder 710).

The mounting components 714 may be configured to receive a mountingapparatus (e.g., the mounting apparatus 402) extended into the hollowcylinder 710. In some embodiments, the mounting components 714 mayextend into the hollow cylinder 710. In some embodiments, the mountingcomponents 714 may engage components (e.g., protrusions) in a mountingapparatus. In some embodiments, the mounting components 714 may bereceptacles in a wall of the hollow cylinder 710, protrusions in a wallof the hollow cylinder 710, recesses in a wall of the hollow cylinder710, threads in a wall of the hollow cylinder 710, pins extending fromthe wall of the hollow cylinder 710, a track in the wall of the hollowcylinder 710, or other suitable mounting components.

As shown in FIG. 7, each camera may be coupled to a moveable support.For example, camera 604A may be coupled to a moveable support 716 andthe camera 604B may be coupled to a moveable support 718. The moveablesupports 716 and 718 may be moveable via one or more motors. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the moveable support 714 maybe moveable via motor 720 and the moveable support may be moveable via amotor 722. The other cameras of the camera device 600 (e.g., cameras604C and 604D) may each be coupled to a respective moveable support. Insome embodiments, each camera of a camera device may be coupled to anindependent moveable support. In other embodiments, each camera may becoupled to a single moveable support, such that all cameras are moveablyverged together.

In some embodiments, the camera device 600 may includemicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS) instead of motors. In suchembodiments, the camera device 600 with MEMS to facilitate movement of amoveable support and the cameras may use comparatively less power than adevice having motors.

In some embodiments, the moveably verged cameras 604 may enablecalibration of the cameras at runtime (as opposed to calibration beforeshipping or packaging of the cameras). For example, in some embodiments,the cameras 604 may be calibrated by verging the cameras with respect toa test object or scene captured by the captures. In such embodiments,for example, calibration modules may be stored on the storage 706 andexecuted by the processor 704. In some embodiments, the calibration maybe dynamically determined in response to additional verging of thecameras. For example, if one or more cameras having an existingcalibration are moveably verged to a different angle, anothercalibration may be determined before images are captured by the cameras.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the connectors 712 and mountingcomponents 714 may work in combination to select orientations of thecamera device 600. For example, in a first orientation, the cameradevice 500 may be connected to a battery charger such that the first end724 may be described as the “bottom” of the device 600. For example, asdescribed above and as indicated by arrow 725, the camera device 600 maybe coupled to a dock such as by inserted a portion of the dock into thecylinder 710 to connect to the connectors 712.

In a second orientation, the camera device 600 may be rotated 180degrees around the horizontal plane 606 and the mounting components 614may be engaged with a mounting apparatus, such that the second end 726of the device may be described as the “bottom of the device 600. Forexample, as described above and as indicated by arrow 727, the cameradevice 100 may be coupled to a mounting apparatus such as by inserting aportion of the apparatus into the cylinder 710 to engage the protrusions714.

In some embodiments, the camera device 600 may not include componentsconfigured to enforce orientations on the device. For example, insteadof changing an orientation of the camera device 600 when the device ismounted to a mounting apparatus or disposed on a table or otherstructure, the cameras 604 of the camera device 600 may be verged to asuitable angle for capturing a region of interest relative to themounting apparatus or the table or other structure. In such embodiments,the connectors 712 and mounting components 714 may be located in areasof the housing 600 or the housing 600 may be a different shape.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting operation of multiple cameras800 to provide a panoramic image of a real-world scene 802. A firstcamera 800A with a first FOV 804 may capture an image of a real-worldscene 802. Similarly, a second camera 800B with a second FOV 806 maycapture an image of the real-world scene 802. In some instances, theFOVs 804 and 806 may have an overlap area 808. Additionally, the thirdcamera 800C and fourth camera 800D with respective FOVs 810 and 812 maycapture an image of a real-world scene 802. In some instances, the FOVs810 and 812 may have overlap regions 814 and 816.

Each camera 800 may provide captured image data to a processor 820(e.g., an image processor). In some embodiments, the overlap regions maybe determined based on previously performed calibration or an initialcalibration that may be subsequently adjusted. In some embodiments, theoverlap regions may be determined at the pixel level to accommodate forvertical, horizontal, or other misalignments. In some embodiments, theprocessor may perform image correction to adjust capture images.

In some embodiments, the arrangement depicted in FIG. 8 may be used tocalibrate the cameras of a camera device. For example, the real-worldscene 802 may be or include a test pattern or test object that enableseasier calibration of the cameras 800. In some embodiments, theprocessor may combine (referred to as “stich”) image data captured fromtwo or more of the cameras 800 to generate a panoramic image 822. Insome embodiments, distortion or artifacts between captured images may beremoved or minimized by the processor. In some embodiments, for example,image data from all four cameras 800A, 800B, 800C, and 800D may becombined to produce a 360 degree panoramic image. In other embodiments,a camera device having two cameras may produce a stereo image of thereal world scene 802. For example, two cameras having a single overlaparea may provide captured image data to a processor (e.g., an imageprocessor) to product a stereo image.

FIG. 9 depicts a process 900 for capturing images from a camera devicehaving verged cameras in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. Initially, frames may be captured from two or more vergedcameras (block 902). The captured frames may be stitched and blendedusing a predetermined calibration between the two or more verged cameras(block 904). Next, a panoramic frame may be output (block 906). In someembodiments, as mentioned above, a stereo image may be output using onlytwo cameras of a camera device.

In some embodiments, image-recognition may be performed on the panoramicframe (block 908). For example, as discussed above, facial recognitionmay be performed on the panoramic frame to recognize a face of a person.In other embodiments, other types of recognition, such as shaperecognition, may be performed on captured images. A region of interestin the panoramic frame may be identified (block 910) using theimage-recognition. In some embodiments, the identified region ofinterest or an indication of the identified region of interest may beoutput (block 912). For example, a name or category of the identifiedregion may be sent, via a wireless interface, to a computing devicecoupled to the camera device.

FIG. 10 depicts a process 1000 for capturing images from a camera devicehaving moveably verged cameras in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. Initially, frames may be captured from two or more moveablyverged cameras in a first position (block 1002). In some embodiments,the verging between the cameras may be determined (e.g., the differencebetween the verging angles of each camera), and the calibration betweenthe cameras may then be determined (block 1004) The captured frames maybe stitched and blended using an calibration between the two or moremoveably verged cameras (block 1006). Next, a panoramic frame may beoutput (block 1008).

In some embodiments, image-recognition may be performed on the panoramicframe (block 1010). For example, as discussed above, facial recognitionmay be performed on the panoramic frame, such as to recognize a face ofa person. A region of interest (e.g., a face) in the panoramic frame maybe identified (block 1012) using the image-recognition. In someembodiments, the captured frame may be compared to one or morepreviously captured frames (block 1014) to determine whether the regionis moving (decision block 1016). In some embodiments, a distanceassociated with the region of interest (e.g., a distance between theregion and a camera) may be determined in a previously captured frameand compared to a distance associated with the region of interest (e.g.,a distance between the region and a camera) in the captured frame. Thedifference between the distances may be used to determine whether theregion of interest is moving toward or away from the camera device,e.g., by comparing the distance difference to a threshold, determiningif the distances have increased, determining if the distances havedecreased, etc.

If the region is moving (line 1018), one or more of the moveably vergedcameras may be verged to a second position to maintain the region in thevertical FOV or in a designated area (e.g., the center) of the verticalFOV of each of the one or more cameras (block 1020). For example, if therecognized region is the face of a person, a camera device may determinewhether the person's face is moving towards or away from the device(i.e., as the person walks toward or away from the camera device).Additional frames may then be captured from two or more of the vergedcameras (block 1002). As the one or more of the cameras have beenmoveably verged to a new angle, the verging between the cameras may bedetermined and another calibration may then be determined (block 1004).The captured frames may be stitched and blended together (block 1006)and another panoramic frame may be output (block 1008).

If the region has not moved (line 1022), the cameras may remain in thefirst position and additional frames may be captured from the two ormore moveably verged cameras. The region may be further evaluated todetermine whether the region moves and to subsequently moveably vergethe cameras based on such movement.

In some embodiments, a camera device may communicate with a user device(e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.). FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram of acamera device 1100 having verged cameras 1102 (e.g., verged cameras ormoveably verged cameras) descried above in communication with a userdevice 1104. The user device 1104 may be, for example, a tabletcomputer, a smartphone, a wearable computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), an e-reader, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, andthe like. As shown in FIG. 11, the user device 1104 may include aprocessor 1106, memory 1108 (e.g., one or more memories such as volatilememory and non-volatile memory), an interface 1110, and a display 1112.It should be noted that FIG. 11 depicts merely one example of aparticular implementation of a user device 1104 and may illustrate onlysome of the types of components and functionalities that may be present.

The processor 1106 may include one or more processors havingcharacteristics similar to the processors 504 and 704 described aboveand. may be configured to access and execute (at least in part)computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 702. The processor1106 may include, without limitation: a central processing unit (CPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer(RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or anycombination thereof. The user device 1104 may also include a chipset(not shown) for controlling communications between the processor 1106and one or more of the other components of the camera 1104. The memory1108 may be similar to the memories 502 and 702 described above and mayinclude volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), andnon-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, any othersuitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or acombination thereof. The memory 1108 may store a variety of informationand may be used for a variety of purposes and may store executablecomputer code. The executable computer code may include programinstructions executable by a processor (e.g., the processor 702) toimplement one or more embodiments of described herein. In someembodiments, the executable computer code may define a cameraapplication 1114 stored by the memory 1108 and executed by the processor1106. The camera application 114 may monitor and, in some embodiments,control the camera device 1100. For example, in some embodiments thecamera application 1114 may, via the user device 1104, control thecamera device 1102 by sending instructions to moveably verge the cameras1102 from a first angle to a second angle. In some embodiments, thecamera application 1114 may, via the user device 1104, send instructionsto the camera device 1100 to begin recording images (e.g., still imagesor video), stop recording images, save images, delete images, and so on.

The memory 1108 may store an operating system that includes a pluralityof computer-executable instructions that may be implemented by theprocessor 1106 to perform a variety of tasks to operate the user device1104. In some embodiments, the memory 1108 may store still images andvideo received from the camera device 1100, such as over a wirelessnetwork.

The interface 1110 my function similarly to the interfaces 510 and 710described above. For example, the interface 1110 may include one or moreinterfaces and may include one or more communication interfaces ornetwork interface devices to provide for the transfer of data betweenthe user device 1104 and the camera device 1100 and other devices, suchas over one or more networks. The communication interfaces may provideaccess to, for example, personal area networks (“PANs”), wired localarea networks (“LANs”), wireless local area networks (“WLANs”), wirelesswide area networks (“WWANs”), and so forth. The communication interfacesmay use any suitable communications standard, protocol and technology,including Ethernet, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), a 3G network (e.g., based upon theIMT-2000 standard), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), widebandcode division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access(CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), a 4G network (e.g., IMTAdvanced, Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced), etc.), Bluetooth,Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE802.11g or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, aprotocol for email (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) orpost office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensiblemessaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol forInstant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), InstantMessaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS), Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communicationprotocols.

The display 1112 may display images in varying degrees of resolution,contrast, content, and/or location. The display 1112 may be, but is notlimited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED)display, a lenticular display, an e-ink display, or an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display. The display 1112 may display a userinterface (e.g., a graphical user interface). In accordance with someembodiments, the display 1112 may include or be provided in conjunctionwith touch sensitive elements through which a user may interact with theuser interface. Such a touch-sensitive display may be referred to as a“touch screen.”

In some embodiments, still images and video captured by the cameradevice 1100 may be transferred to the user device 1104 via a wired orwireless network (not shown). In some embodiments, the user device 1104may display in real-time still images or video captured by the cameradevice 1104. In some embodiments, the user device 1104 may be used toconfigure the camera device via a wired or wireless network, such as bymodifying settings of the camera device 1100, flashing firmware of thecamera device 1100, updating software of the camera device 1100,calibrating the camera device 1100, and so on. In some embodiments, someprocesses described may be performed by the user device 1104 using imagedata received from the camera device 1100. For example, in someembodiments, the user device 1100 may perform stitching of imagescaptured by the camera device 1100. In some embodiments, the user device1100 may perform image-recognition or other similar processing on theimages captured by the camera device 1100. In yet other embodiments,image data from the camera device 1100 may be sent to a server for suchprocessing (e.g., directly to the server or via the user device 1104).

The operations and processes described and shown above may be carriedout or performed in any suitable order as desired in variousimplementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least aportion of the operations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore,in certain implementations, less than or more than the operationsdescribed may be performed.

Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference toblock and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatus, and/or computerprogram products according to various implementations. It will beunderstood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flowdiagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-executableprogram instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams andflow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the orderpresented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, accordingto some implementations.

These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto aspecial-purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particularmachine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer,processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create meansfor implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagramblock or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be storedin a computer-readable storage media or memory that can direct acomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function ina particular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage media produce an article of manufactureincluding instruction means that implement one or more functionsspecified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, certainimplementations may provide for a computer program product, comprising acomputer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program codeor program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readableprogram code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functionsspecified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements orsteps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elementsor steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagramblock or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams supportcombinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functionsand program instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itwill also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowdiagrams, can be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computersystems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, orcombinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainimplementations could include, while other implementations do notinclude, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or moreimplementations or that one or more implementations necessarily includelogic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whetherthese features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to beperformed in any particular implementation.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented inthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific implementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a camera housing defining ahorizontal plane extending through a housing; a first camera in thehousing and having a first longitudinal camera axis extending through acenter of the first camera, wherein the first camera is verged at afirst angle defined by the first longitudinal camera axis and thehorizontal plane; a second camera in the housing and having a secondlongitudinal camera axis extending through a center of the secondcamera, wherein the second camera is verged at a second angle defined bythe second longitudinal camera axis and the horizontal plane; a thirdcamera in the housing and having a third longitudinal camera axisextending through a center of the third camera, wherein the third camerais verged at a third angle defined by the third longitudinal camera axisand the horizontal plane; a fourth camera in the housing and having afourth longitudinal camera axis extending through the center of thefourth camera, wherein the fourth camera is verged at a fourth angledefined by the fourth longitudinal camera axis and the horizontal plane,wherein the first angle, the second angle, the third angle, and thefourth angle are equal and non-zero; a connector configured to receive acharging dock, wherein connection of the charging dock orients thedevice in a first orientation; a mounting receptacle configured toreceive a mounting apparatus, wherein receipt of the mounting apparatusorients the device in a second orientation opposite the firstorientation; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable memorystoring computer-executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, configure the processor to perform operations comprising:capture a first frame from the first camera; capture a second frame fromthe second camera; determine an overlap area between a first field ofview of the first camera and a second field of view of the secondcamera; and determine, using at least the first frame, the second frame,and the overlap area, a panoramic frame.
 2. The device of claim 1,comprising: one or more motors coupled to the first camera, the secondcamera, the third camera, and the fourth camera, wherein the motors areconfigured to move the cameras to a fifth angle defined by eachrespective longitudinal camera axis and the horizontal plane anddifferent than the first angle, second angle, third angle, and fourthangle.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform operations comprising: identify a face of a personin a third frame captured by the first camera, the face associated witha first distance from the first camera; capture a fourth frame using thefirst camera, the fourth frame including the face of the person, theface associated with a second distance from the first camera; comparethe fourth frame to the third frame; determine a difference between thefirst distance and the second distance; determine, based on thedifference, that the face is moving toward or away from the device; andmove, using a motor, the first camera to a fifth angle to maintain theface of the person in a designated area of a vertical field-of-view ofthe first camera.
 4. A device, comprising: a housing defining ahorizontal plane extending through a center of the housing; a firstcamera disposed in the housing and having a first longitudinal axisextending through a center of the first camera, wherein the first camerais verged at a first angle defined by the first longitudinal axis andthe horizontal plane; a second camera in the housing and having a secondlongitudinal axis extending through a center of the second camera,wherein the second camera is verged at a second angle defined by thesecond longitudinal axis and the horizontal plane; a third camera in thehousing and having a third longitudinal axis extending through a centerof the third camera, wherein the third camera is verged at a third angledefined by the third longitudinal axis and the horizontal plane; aprocessor; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,configure the processor to perform operations comprising: capture afirst frame from the first camera; capture a second frame from thesecond camera; determine an overlap area between a first field of viewof the first camera and a second field of view of the second camera; anddetermine, using at least the first frame, the second frame, and theoverlap area, a panoramic frame.
 5. The device of claim 4, comprising afourth camera in the housing and having a fourth longitudinal axisextending through a center of the fourth camera, wherein the fourthcamera is verged at a fourth angle defined by the fourth longitudinalaxis and the horizontal plane.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein thefirst angle, second angle, third angle, and fourth angle are equal andnon-zero.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises: afirst surface approximately parallel to the horizontal plane; a secondsurface opposite the first surface; a connector proximate the firstsurface and configured to receive a battery charger, wherein receipt ofthe battery charger orients the housing in a first orientation.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, comprising: a receptacle proximate the second surfaceand configured to receive a mounting apparatus, wherein receipt of themounting apparatus orients the housing in a second orientation, whereinthe first orientation is an inverse of the second orientation.
 9. Adevice, comprising: a housing defining a horizontal plane extendingthrough a center of the housing; a first camera disposed in the housingand having a first longitudinal axis extending through a center of thefirst camera, wherein the first camera is moveable from a firsthorizontal position to a first angle defined by the first longitudinalaxis and the horizontal plane; a second camera in the housing and havinga second longitudinal axis extending through a center of the secondcamera, wherein the second camera is moveable from a second horizontalposition to a second angle defined by the second longitudinal axis andthe horizontal plane; a third camera in the housing and having a thirdlongitudinal axis extending through a center of the third camera,wherein the third camera is moveable from a third horizontal position toa third angle defined by the third longitudinal axis and the horizontalplane; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable memorystoring computer-executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, configure the processor to perform operations comprising:capture, at a first time, a first frame from the first camera, a secondframe from the second camera, and a third frame from the third camera;determine an overlap area between at least a first field of view of thefirst camera and a second field of view of the second camera; anddetermine, using the overlap area, the first frame, the second frame,and the third frame, a panoramic frame.
 10. The device of claim 9,comprising: a microelectromechanical system coupled to the first camera,the second camera, and the third camera, wherein themicroelectromechanical system is configured to moveably verge the firstcamera to the first angle, movably verge the second camera to the secondangle and movably verge the third camera to the third angle.
 11. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the first angle, second angle, and thirdangle are equal.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the housingcomprises: a first surface approximately parallel to the horizontalplane; a second surface opposite the first surface; and a connectorproximate the first surface and configured to receive a battery charger,wherein receipt of the battery charger orients the housing in a firstorientation.
 13. The device of claim 12, comprising: a receptacleproximate the second surface and configured to receive a mountingapparatus, wherein receipt of the mounting apparatus orients the housingin a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is an inverse ofthe second orientation.
 14. The device of claim 9, comprising a fourthcamera in the housing and having a fourth longitudinal axis extendingthrough a center of the fourth camera, wherein the fourth camera ismoveable from a fourth horizontal position to a fourth angle defined bythe fourth longitudinal axis and the horizontal plane, wherein the firstcamera is disposed in the housing opposite the fourth camera.
 15. Thedevice of claim 9, the non-transitory computer-readable memory storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,configure the processor to perform operations further comprising:identify an object in the panoramic frame, first frame, second frame, orthird frame; capture a fourth frame from the first camera, secondcamera, or third camera; compare the fourth frame to the first frame,second frame, or third frame; determine that the object is moving towardor away from the device; and move at least one of the first camera, thesecond camera, and the third camera to a fourth angle that maintains theobject in a designated portion of a vertical field of view of at leastone of the first camera, second camera, or third camera.
 16. The deviceof claim 15, wherein compare the fourth frame to the first frame, secondframe, or third frame comprises: identify, in the panoramic frame, firstframe, second frame, or third frame, a first distance associated with aregion; identify, in the fourth frame, a second distance associated withthe region; and determine a difference between the first distance andthe second distance.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the calibrationis a first calibration, the non-transitory computer-readable memorystoring computer-executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, configure the processor to perform operations furthercomprising: determine, after moving at least one of the first camera,the second camera, and the third camera to the third angle, a secondcalibration between at least two of the first camera, the second camera,and the third camera.